Oh No, Tri-Suit Woes

[colby]

Well, at least she lasted through the half marathon and triathlon, and everything inbetween, but after the tri on the 20th and the hot tub immediately afterward, the zipper on my suit is done. I think it's fixable, but I don't want to break it to fix it -- I bought it at Nordstroms during one of their Danskin thingies since I could actually try it on (thank god, I would have been sooo wrong), and my dad has a theory that they'll actually take it back. We're talking about 2 months of wear on this thing, and only two real events. The zipper effectively came all the way undone along the bottom of one side, so if you could get the teeth back into the zipper it would be fine, but that's easier said than done.

Anyway, in the meantime, I obviously need a backup, or replacement, or something. The zipper on the back of the Danskin suit eats my hair (yes, it is that long, and yes, I can fit it in a swim cap ), so I'd like to explore other options. I was wearing my suit for all of my runs (mostly daily) in the summer, all of my open water swimming (okay, twice!), and some bike rides (maybe a half dozen), and will continue to do so (especially for running) even if I don't have any triathlons the rest of the year.

I did like the shelf bra, even though I wore a light sports bra (CWX) underneath it. It seemed like the two together were perfect, though maybe just the compression of a non-shelf suit would be enough as well? The suit alone was clearly not enough for running comfortably (I am about a 36C nowadays). I also like the lack of a waistline in the tri-suit for running, when wearing separates I sweat there a lot (I am a little squishy, what can I say). During the winter I wear a 1-piece compression suit for biking/running/snowboarding, and I really like that one for the same reason. My current suit has a 7" inseam, which is fine with me... I could maybe go a little shorter, but any longer and we're talking down to the knees (I don't have long legs).

Since I'm probably not going to do any more triathlons the rest of the year, I could wait until next year to get a new suit, and just get running tights/shorts (like the CWX setup, which is really nice -- http://cw-x.com/ss/products/womens/w_pro_tights ). It's not quite late enough into the year to wear full-length tights (I would probably roast) and I hesitate to buy a pair of shorts I'll only wear for running, even if I am doing a lot of it (training for a marathon at the end of November). I suppose I could go for the 3/4 length/capri style, which would get me through the fall to the point I'm comfortable wearing full length...

Should I just bite the bullet and get another trisuit? Any recommendations there (Susan seemed to like the Tyr; I am a little concerned about the two-color suits, they might look weird?)?

Or, should I buy shorts/capris, and figure since I'm doing so much running it'll be a worthy purchase anyway? Or maybe a set of tri shorts in case I end up running into a triathlon I'd be interested in? Could always wear a bathing suit I suppose, but in that position I think I'd just buy the suit and have it overnighted and hope it fits

Any advice is welcome. I am sad about my suit, how dare she put me in this position.

[Lise]

I say take the suit back and complain. Get it replaced. These things are made for endurance sports, fer cryin' out loud. Two races does not "endurance" make for the garment.

[colby]

I say take the suit back and complain. Get it replaced. These things are made for endurance sports, fer cryin' out loud. Two races does not "endurance" make for the garment.

No kidding! How many times do they expect you to zip it on and off and on and off? It doesn't even feel worn, except the little Danskin dancer logo is falling apart a bit on the chest (looks like some kind of transfer, so I wouldn't expect it to stay on long with all the temperature and wet-dry changes). Maybe my chest is too big for their little zippy zipper, it had started to get harder to zip up from the bottom (zipper started twisting, which is probably the beginning of my problem) but the suit feels great when I have it on.

The only problem is, our local Nordstrom's doesn't carry it, and I'm not even sure if the Nordstrom's I bought it at carries them regularly I emailed the Danskin people to see if they have a response, and will probably end up calling either Nordstrom's or Danskin. If I can't get it replaced, hopefully I can get my money back at least and buy something new (and probably not another Danskin suit after this). Unfortunately, they don't have my size online, so I don't know if we'll be able to find it anywhere else either

ARGH. Thank god it happened AFTERward!

[Nanci]

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[KSH]

Well, I would try to talk it back or at least take it to a tailor and see if can be fixed.

Otherwise, I know that I only use my tri suit for racing. I use other workout clothes when I'm training.

I paid too much money for my tri suit (bottoms/top), and I can't have it wear out too quick. I should be wearing it for a couple of years to come!

And... if you get a new suit... then you can look into a 2-piece suit... which means easy access for using the restroom!

[colby]

all3sports.com is having a progressive sale:

Thanks, Nanci! No matter what, I'm going to have to buy something, so I might as well shop the sales

[colby]

Well, I would try to talk it back or at least take it to a tailor and see if can be fixed.

Otherwise, I know that I only use my tri suit for racing. I use other workout clothes when I'm training.

I paid too much money for my tri suit (bottoms/top), and I can't have it wear out too quick. I should be wearing it for a couple of years to come!

And... if you get a new suit... then you can look into a 2-piece suit... which means easy access for using the restroom!

I like the fit of the suit for running, but when I bike any distances, unless I'm trying to mentally prepare, I wear bike clothes, and the same is true of swimming (though when OWS, it was nice to have the suit for a little more warmth). During the summer is really the only time it's been nice to have, during the winter when it gets cold I have to wear something else anyway

Right now I'm thinking about something that could get me through fall, but not be too hot for the rest of the summer. Maybe some capri-length tights or something, and a sleeveless top so I have arms free. Hmmm...

[KnottedYet]

Any Nordstrom will take it back. If they can't order you a replacement, they will refund your full money. Two events should NOT have destroyed that suit!

I also love Wacoal's CWX stuff. I wore my CWX bra during the Danskin, too. That and my UnderArmor compression shorts were my "swimsuit", and I added the tank top and Terry commuter skort for the ride and walk.

It was mighty easy to use the porta-potties! (mmmm, two pieces are my friends!)